Welsh footballer Ryan Giggs celebrates his 40th birthday today - still playing at the highest level.

Giggs, who is from Cardiff, has made 953 appearances - and counting - for Manchester United, and won 64 caps for Wales.

Giggs starred against German side Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night. Credit: PA

He retired from international football in 2007, but has continued his club career and could yet be offered another contract extension when his current deal expires next summer.

Giggs was Wales' youngest ever player - and went on to captain his country. Credit: PA

After he impressed as Manchester United thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 on Wednesday, manager David Moyes said: "He is an unbelievable footballer - and you could say he is getting better. He will tell us when he has enough, or when he thinks his time is up. His performances have been excellent."

Giggs starred for Manchester United as a teenager - here he is with the FA Cup in 1994. Credit: PA

Giggs made his debut for the club as a 17-year-old in 1991, and has won 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two Champions League crowns.

Welsh midfielder Ryan Giggs won his 13th Premier League crown last night, and earned the accolade of "legend" from his teammates.

The 39-year-old played a full 90 minutes, setting up two goals, as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3-0 last night to secure the title.

He is already the most decorated player in British football history, and this was his 25th major title. Earlier this season, he passed 1,000 senior career appearances.

Midfield colleague Michael Carrick said: "It is sensational that he is still able to do that after all this time. It is not just physical, it is mental, having the drive and desire to do it every day."

"Ryan is out there training every day. The standard he has set is unbelievable. He is a legend. It is a throwaway comment too often. But he is the legend really. It is a pleasure to play with him and work with him every day."

Welsh footballer Ryan Giggs has signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United, which will take him beyond his 40th birthday.

There had been speculation that the midfielder would retire at the end of the season.

Giggs is already the most decorated player in British football history and will be winning his 13th league championship should United press home their 12-point advantage over Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League.

His next appearance will be his 1,000th senior appearance, which includes games for Wales and Team GB at the London Olympics.

A damages claim by Manchester United and Wales footballer Ryan Giggs against the Sun newspaper was thrown out by a High Court judge today.

Giggs claimed that The Sun "misused" private information and argued that he was entitled to claim damages for distress and breach of a right to privacy.

But the paper argued that Giggs's claim - made after the newspaper published an article about a relationship with Welsh reality television star Imogen Thomas - is "dead in the water" and should be stopped.

Mr Justice Tugendhat heard arguments at a High Court hearing in London last month and delivered his ruling today